REVIEW: Playboi Carti: Narcissist Tour

Zafirah Leave a comment

In addition to the actual performance, Playboi Carti live was an amazing experience. Fans wrapped around the block in the brisk 30°F hours before the show even began. Some laughing and hugging to keep warm and others dancing to Carti’s music off their phone. Upon being let into the Masonic Temple, there’s a chilling red scene against the ornate walls of the theater. I will say, the Vamps showed up! Everyone in the bathroom looked absolutely stunning from subversive basics, balaclavas, shiny black latex to detailed, smokey makeup looks. You would’ve thought you were backstage at a Rick Owens fashion show.

The stage welcomed Ken Carson, Rico Nasty, and finally Playboi Carti himself. Each artist brought high energy onto stage which was evident in the audience. I was in awe by Rico Nasty’s vocal range as she performed “Tia Tamera” and “OHFR?” She added her own screams that made the crowd go all the more wild. So much so that articles of clothing were being thrown up high into the air in the mosh pits.

I already lost my voice and Playboi Carti wasn’t even out yet. But when he did finally walk the stage, I couldn’t help but sing along a little louder. The. fog grew thicker and we could barely make out Carti, except for a small silhouette. His voice and the crowd’s roars were all that were needed. Not wanting to sit, many — including myself — stood in the middle of aisles to get as close as possible. There we excitedly sang along to each lyric of “Sky” and cheesing at one another during “Rockstar Made” None of us felt like strangers in that moment, but all happy Vamps.

In between each song, the rich sound of the bass and organ filled the theater. Like Rico, he also added new ad libs in the live performance. The rhythm coursed right through me, to the point where it felt like the sound and I had become one. I could lay my hand on my chest and feel the beat coming straight from me. It was surreal.

Some might say it was insane or dramatic, but that’s Carti. And I loved having the opportunity to see him perform live.

REVIEW: Sa re ga ma pella

IseeUsee Leave a comment

Sa re ga ma pella by Maize Mirchi featured 8 songs, an intermission with Indian snacks, a dance performance by Michigan Taal and a really really excited audience.

The acapella singers did a good job harmonizing and it was nice to know some songs were independently set up by students. The introductions of the new members between songs was one of my favorite parts. The introductions were short, sweet and really funny. We got to know a lot about the companionship shared between the members of Maize Mirchi. The audience consisted of parents and friends of the performers and they were really engaged with the performances and cheering their loved ones on.

A point I would like to highlight is the cultural fusion of this group. They are an acapella group with a touch of Indian culture. I would say their group shows a kaleidoscope of Indian American culture. Less than half of the songs were in an Indian language and some of these were half English half Hindi. The western Indian mix was well carried by the performers. Their coordination really hit the sweet spot!

The soloists showed a very authentic image of Indian American culture and by the excitement of the audience it was obvious their supporters liked it. I think the song selection could have been improved to show more diversity but it was an entertaining show regardless.

The performance after the intermission by Michigan Taal was short and sweet. The size of the stage was very small but they did not let it hinder them. They had an exciting diversity of dances and their energy was infectious.

Being at the acapella concert was like being at an intimate event for family and friends where everyone knew each other and supported performers.

If you like Indian American culture and acapella then Sa Re Ga Ma pella can’t hit it more on the head than anything else!

REVIEW: A Midsummer night’s dream

IseeUsee Leave a comment

This performance of a midsummer night’s dream was very special. With minimal backdrop and music, the attention was really focused on the acting. The actors really took this opportunity to showcase their range of voice and such. I especially loved the performance of Helena and Oberon (the fairy king). Their performances especially commanded everyone’s attention and their stage presence was powerful.

The outfits of the fairies were very cool. That brings me to the topic of costumes! This play had an interesting fusion of modern costumes in a Shakespearean play. Seeing people in modern school uniforms talk Shakespeare and the human King and queen wearing modern formal outfits like tuxedoes was special. I think it was a good choice and made the show really different from traditional Shakespearean performances. This choice of costumes like t shirts, heels, tartan skirts, Winx Club like outfits on the fairies made the play experimental and I liked how displaced it made the play seem! It was a nice clash of time periods.

The dream-like quality and confusion of the plot suited this clashing outfit choice and put the audience also in an air of amazement and confusion like the characters being played with by the fairy cohort.

The sound effects and lighting added a nice hint of magic and surrealness to the play. The parts involving the fairies singing and magic were probably my favorite parts because of how elusive they were. The play’s highest moment, leaving the audience in shrieks of laughter, was definitely when Helene, Hermia, and their lovers meet after the men have been given love potions. The energy of the characters and the comic timing of the situation was very well suited.

This play was a lovely treat of magic, love, and playfulness. It did not try to be more serious than it should be and the jokes were funny. It was a perfect show to see to have a fun evening!

REVIEW: Much Ado About Nothing

Madison Krumins Leave a comment

This weekend, the RC Players put on a fantastic rendition of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. The choice to set the tale in a modern-day office environment was a good one, suiting well a story of drama, deception, and debate. Beatrice and Benedick can’t stand each other, but their scheming friends know they’re perfect for each other. While Beatrice’s cousin and Benedick’s fellow soldier friend await their wedding day, they scheme with Don Pedro to get the two fated lovebirds Benedick and Beatrice together. Through classic knowingly-overheard conversations and witty banter, the scheme works! But the besotted bickering couple can’t meet a happy ending without some scandal first, involving public disgrace and a rumored death…

Shakespeare, for the modern general audience, can be a little hard to digest, but director and assistant director Will McClelland and Darby Williams did a fantastic job of making the story engaging and entertaining on many levels. Shakespearean shenanigans were well carried out by the energetic cast who scarcely ever hesitated on a line’s delivery. I was especially impressed by Leonato’s scorning-his-daughter monologues performed by Laila Krugman and Maeson Linnert’s suave Don Pedro.

A truly great performance!

REVIEW: Legal Courtship

Madison Krumins Leave a comment

NERDS (Not Even Really Drama Students) return to the stage with a full-length original musical written by Adrian Beyer and Emma Laible. A fun, quirky story about a court case, a very big building, and finding love amidst (or even through!) conflict, Legal Courtship centered around a lawsuit over scientist Jeff Spaceballs’ laboratory building in the city of Courtlandia.

With a pun-loving judge, a distracted jury, and a defense and prosecution that can’t stop bickering, the pressure builds… but what explodes in the end isn’t Jeff Spaceballs’ building (through which he intends to commit insurance fraud), it’s love. Prosecutor Zephyr and defense attorney Jove, who have long-seated conflict from back in the law school days, end up finding their gay love for each other in the middle of a heated trial, coming together to figure out just what to do with Spaceballs’ building. Jeff Spaceballs also rediscovers love, discovering that insurance fraud and his capitalistic tendencies just aren’t worth it, when his building and his wealth could be used to serve the community and he could fully dedicate his time to his ex-wife, who he still loves.

Congrats to NERDS for their return to the stage and for their continued dedication to produce and perform student work! It’s always inspiring to see such support for student creativity and the enthusiasm the performers and crew bring.

PREVIEW: Playboi Carti: King Vamp Tour

Zafirah Leave a comment

Since the release of the highly anticipated Whole Lotta Red about a year ago, Playboi Carti is finally coming to Detroit.

Complex called him the “most musically polarizing rapper on the planet right now” upon the Whole Lotta Red album drop in December of last year. His music falls under both Hip-Hop and Punk cultures, or what I like to call Punk Rap. Whole Lotta Red captures more of the Punk alternative accompanied by mumble rap through the energetic, reverberating beat in each song.

The King Vamp tour is Carti’s first headline tour since 2018 where he returns to the stage with a unique sound. The multi-genre artist creates a hypnotic atmosphere and ambiance with his performances.

Characterized by his punk aesthetic and style, one can expect to see fans follow in suit this Saturday, Dec 4 at the Masonic Temple for an invigorating concert experience.

See you there, Vamps.